ERIE, PA. (Oct. 18, 1:15 p.m. ET) — Long-time Executool Precision Tools Inc. plant manager Colin Coffey, 56, died unexpectedly on Sept. 29.
A native of Seaham, County Durham, England, he immigrated with his wife Jean to the U.S. in 1982. He worked as tool and die maker at Lord Corp., tool room manager at Accuform, lead mold designer at Tool-All and served as Executool plant manager the past 17 years.
“Colin is one of two people in my life that I would call a mentor. He made a difference in my life and I’m sure many others too – we were friends for close to 30 years and worked together for 21. Colin was the best teacher I have ever met. Truly a professional, he will be sorely missed,” said Gary Mayes, president of Executool.
Mayes said he was trained originally by Coffey as a tool and die apprentice and ‘was taught the right work ethic.”
“Work ethic was one of the big things. He always would find the right answer. No matter what it would take, he would always figure out the problem,” said Mayes.
Coffey graduated from high school at an early age and went to work as an apprentice at Joseph Lucas Ltd. in Burnley, Lancashire, England. He also later taught himself how to be a mold designer.
He is survived by his wife Jean and five siblings.
